TERRY BUTCHER last night backed his under-siege sluggers to land the KO blow in their survival scrap.

And the Hibs boss says he’s even prepared his final-bell celebration.

The punch-drunk Easter Road outfit stagger into today’s play-off crunch with Kilmarnock knowing failure to win will send them crashing closer to the Championship canvas. But Butcher said: “It’s a one-off game, like a boxing match – gladiatorial combat.

“This is it, winner takes all and our singular course of action is to win the game.

“When you’re backed into a corner like that, the only way to react is to come out fighting. It ends up focusing you. It comes to a point where your application and interest is very much focused on winning the match.

“It’s made our situation clearer and whatever has happened before is immaterial now because this is it. There is a siege mentality about the players.

“We get one chance at this and we want to take it.

“I need all the players to stand up and be counted and I have it all planned, right down to my celebration after the game. I’m not being cocky when I say that but I look at that because the mind is a wonderful thing.”

Butcher believes from bitter personal experience the clarity of his team’s position on the last day can help as he turned the psychological screw on Killie.

He added: “They only need a point but that can end up throwing you. Five years ago at Caley Thistle we were in the same position, needing only a point at home in the final game against Falkirk.

“It’s difficult because what do you do? Do you attack in numbers or sit back? There can be a lot of doubt in the Kilmarnock camp about how to approach this. There is no doubt in our camp. We have to win.

“Whoever holds their nerve best on the day will win. We have to make sure that’s us.”

Butcher’s squad have under-achieved badly since his arrival but the boss is convinced they are now ready to answer his calls.

He said: “A lot of the players have spoken and it’s been great.

“It’s not about fantastic speeches. Over the past few weeks I have quoted Alfred Lord Tennyson and things like this and that hasn’t particularly worked.

“Maybe I should quote Shakespeare or even Rabbie Burns or something like that, but I don’t think it’s about that now.

“Normally I ask one of the players to say a speech but, maybe I will keep it short and sharp, that is what’s needed.

“At the end of the day it’s not about talking, it’s about action.

“I’m like a swan. Calm but underneath I’m paddling like f***. And that is not Tennyson!

“Seriously, I’m very calm. I feel very in control. I feel good about it. I feel positive.

“I have always said I’m very, very confident we will be fine and I still hold true to that fact.”